There was plenty of understandable concern about Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles this week. He missed the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Bills due to a left knee injury, the same knee he had ACL surgery on last year. But it turned out to be just a bruise, and Charles has practiced fully this week. He is officially listed as probable to face the Saints.

Fantasy Analysis:

Charles will be looking to redeem himself after a game in which he averaged 0.5 yards per carry. He certainly has the right matchup for a big game. The Saints have already allowed six rushing touchdowns this season, they have allowed the second-most fantasy points to RBs, and they have yet to face a back with Charles' talents. While Peyton Hillis will still vulture the goal-line opportunities and a decent amount of other carries, I have no qualms about starting Charles as a high-end RB2 this week. I expect him to break off a couple of long runs against that horrible defense.

I think it warrants clarification that Hillis is not a 'vulture' he doesn't just show up for goal-line ... and he actually has a place in the overall scheme of the offense. He block and catches better than Charles and produces more consistently. Sure... you can try to say that Charles is the #1 back and so anyone else is a vulture, but I disaree... Hillis has a role in this offense and until Charles actually steps up and produces something, (because let's face it, 2010 is a long time ago) I'm playing Hillis.

Posted by:
Sirckus 09/22/12 01:15 PM

The reality is that Charles is the superior athlete and has the greatest chance to produce. Good luck with Hillis, I am going with Charles.

Posted by:
dirtysteve312002 09/23/12 09:05 AM

Inconsistency is unacceptable in fantasy. Keep Charles, he's a loser...........

Posted by:
infodoc 09/23/12 09:06 AM

darn, that loser just won it all for a couple of teams!!! nearly 300 total yards...i need a whole team of losers like that!!!